Check your medicine cabinet—expired medications can be dangerous. While some may just lose potency, others can cause serious harm if taken past their expiration date. Dr. Jamie Winn, pharmacist and medical director at Universal Drugstore, warns that ignoring expiration dates on certain medications can lead to severe health risks.
1. Antibiotics – Risk: Kidney Damage & Treatment Failure
Some antibiotics, like tetracyclines, can break down into toxic compounds that may cause kidney damage. Expired antibiotics may also lose their effectiveness, failing to eliminate bacteria and leading to worsening infections. Liquid antibiotics are especially risky as they can become contaminated after expiration.
2. Heart Medications – Risk: Reduced Potency & Heart Complications
Drugs like nitroglycerin, used for heart conditions, lose potency over time. If expired, they may not work when needed, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
3. Insulin–Risk: Dangerous Blood Sugar Spikes
People with Type 1 diabetes depend on insulin to regulate blood sugar. Expired insulin may lose effectiveness, leading to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), coma, or even death.
4. EpiPens – Risk: Life-Threatening Anaphylaxis
Expired EpiPens may not work during a severe allergic reaction, where immediate intervention is crucial. If the medication degrades, it may fail to reverse anaphylactic shock, putting lives at risk.
5. Blood Thinners (Anticoagulants) – Risk: Blood Clots or Uncontrolled Bleeding
Medications like warfarin or rivaroxaban must remain stable to prevent strokes, blood clots, or excessive bleeding. Expired blood thinners may be ineffective or unstable, making them dangerous.
6. Thyroid Medication – Risk: Metabolism Imbalance & Hormonal Disruptions
Drugs like levothyroxine regulate thyroid hormones, crucial for metabolism and energy levels. Expired medication can lose potency, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, depression, and serious metabolic imbalances.
7. Seizure Medications – Risk: Increased Seizure Activity
Medications like carbamazepine or phenytoin help control seizures. If expired, they may be less effective, increasing the risk of breakthrough seizures, which can be life-threatening.
Additional Warnings
- Eye Drops: Discard 28 days after opening—expired drops can cause eye infections.
- Creams & Ointments: Over time, they can harbor bacteria, leading to skin infections.
- Storage Matters: Heat and humidity accelerate medication breakdown. Keep medicine in cool, dry places—not the bathroom.
How to Safely Dispose of Expired Medication
Never flush expired medicine down the toilet. Instead, take them to a pharmacy or a drug take-back program to ensure proper disposal.
Bottom Line
Always check expiration dates—certain medications can be ineffective at best, deadly at worst.